Refrigerator cabinet and method of constructing it



R. H. MONEY 2,088,716 REFRIGERATOR CABINET AND METHOD OF CON STRUCTING IT Aug; 3, 1937.

s sheets-sheet 1 Filed April 12, 1954 K i i i i Q INVENTOR. R04 A ND H Moms):

ATTORNEYS.

R. H. MONEY 2,088,716 REFRIGERATOR CABINET AND METHOD CONSTRUCTING IT Aug. 3, 1937.

5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 12, 1934 z INVENTOR. 'ROL/A 0 hf Moms):

BY V

. ATTORNEYS.

Aug. 3, 1937. R. H. MONEY 2,088,716

REFRIGERATOR CABINET AND METHOD OF CONSTRUCTING IT Filed April 12, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 4 4 IHH I I III I I ATTORNEYS,

Patented Aug. 3, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Roland H. Money, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignor to The Crosley Radio Corporation,

Cincinnati,

Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application April 12, 1934, Serial No. 720,267

9 Claims.

My invention relates to the manufacture of refrigerator cabinets, and more particularly to a certain construction of cabinet and method of assembly thereof, whereby the labor and time of assembly is greatly reduced. It is an object of my invention therefore to provide a type of cabinet construction which is particularly easy, quick and simple to assemble, together with a method of assembly whereby the particular advantages of such a construction may be fully realized.

The more specific objects of my invention will be set forth hereinafter, or will be apparent to one skilled in the art upon reading these specifications. Bricfly, in the practice of my invention, I provide a construction'which facilitates(a) the assembly as separate units of the inner and outer members of the cabinet, which assembly may be carried on independently; (b) the assembly of the entire refrigerator to one main frame member as will hereinafter be described; the ready and easy insertion of insulation units as preformed members; (d) an interfitting of assembled inner and outer portions, parts being so shaped and proportioned as to permit this, and l e) the final attachment of completing and finishing members as will hereinafter be made clear.

In the practice of my invention, I have provided for the assembly of outer parts to make a preformed box shaped section which may be lined with insulation in preformed bodies. I provide for the pro-assembly of a food compartment and the mounting of this food compartment to a simple main frame. of the food compartment mounted to the main frame in the preformed box, comprising the outer members. and the joining of the whole into an integral unit.

For a clearer understanding of the nature of my invention, reference is now made to the accompanying drawings in which I have illustrated an exemplary embodiment of my invention, and in which:

Figure 1 is an assembled view of two metallic side members of my refrigerator cabinet, and a back member.

Figure 2 is a view of the bottom member which goes inside the assembly of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view of the parts of Figures 1 and 2 in assembled relationship, and showing also the legs which are placed on the structure.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view showing the construction of Figure 3 lined with insulation.

Figure 5 shows the food compartment mounted to the mainframe.

I provide for the insertion Figure 6 shows the structure of Figure 5 inserted into the structure of Figure 4 Figure 7 shows the member which forms the base of the motor compartment.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary view showing the device of Figure 7 in place in the cabinet, together with certain finishing members which may be used to complete the top of the structure.

Figure 9 shows a face platefor finishing the front of the motor compartment.

Figure 10 shows a rail plate for finishing the bottom portion of the refrigerator, lying below the food compartment.

Figure 11 shows the assembled structure ready for spraying.

Figure 12 is a sectional view through an exemplary refrigerator cabinet embodying my construction.

It will be understood in this connection that for the purpose of making a disclosure of my invention, I have chosen an exemplary form of refrigerator cabinet, but that the particular form or style of cabinet is not a limitation upon my invention. On the contrary, my invention may be applied to many different styles of refrigerator cabinet having substantially any desired external configuration, appearance or ornamentation.

It will be noted as a characteristic of my invention that it does not include the assembly of the various parts to a preformed grid-like structural skeleton. The parts as fastened together,

hold their own shape and the construction and method of assembly are so worked out that the several previously formed structures may be interfitted, as will hereinafter be described.

I have shown in Figure 1, two metallic side members indicated at l and 2, and a back member indicated at 3. The side members are bent overat the front and rear as indicated at 4 and 5, and on the front bent-over portions there is provided an inwardly turned lip 6. The side members have continuous flanges at the bottom indicated at l, and they also have flanges at the top indicated at 8; but these flanges terminate at points marked 9, so as to leave a part of the sides, the face members 5, and the lips 6, with free upper edges as shown. Thus there is provided beyond the terminal point 9 of the flanges on the upper end of the side members, a space through which a main frame member, hereinafter to be described, may be let into position. The back member 3 is at least long enough to lie inside the turned over portions 4 at the rear of the side members, and it may also have curved side members as shown, and a bottom flange 1a so as to make a tighter job and assist in the location of the back member.

I have shown a bottom member III in Figure 2. It may be provided with bolts II at its corners, for the attachment of legs; and if desired, these bolt members may be welded to the bottom plate. The lower flanges I of the side members I and 2 will be perforated to receive these bolts. The bottom member may have turned up flanges I3 on all four sides. Figure 3 shows the assembly of the members thus far described, together with legs I4, which are fastened by means of the bolts II. It will be seen that in assembly the bottom plate III fits inside the side and back members I, '2 and 3, and that the lower flanges I of the side members are gripped between the bottom plate III and the legs II. By this construction, I secure a box shaped member constituting the main outer portions of the cabinet. The back member 3 is preferably attached to the side members I and 2, in the assemblies shown in Figures 1 or 3, as by spot welding or otherwise.

I have shown in Figure 5 a food compartment of box form, indicated at I5. It is a preformed member of metal which either may be made in one piece, or by the assembly and welding together of a plurality of parts. It will be given an adequate coating inside of porcelain enamel, or such other flnish as may be desired, and its inside fittings are not of consequence with respect to this invention. In the particular type of refrigerator which I have chosen for an exemplary embodiment, a refrigeration mechanism is mounted upon' a base which overlies the- 'of the food compartment surmounted by a flange II. The front of the food compartment terminates in plain edges although these edges may offset, if desired. A main frame of wood is constructed of side pieces I8, 8. top piece I9 and a bottom piece 20. The lips of the food compartment are simply inserted into the inside part of this frame and are preferably nailed thereto as at 2I. Adjacent the side members III, the frame is notched or grooved as at 22. The purpose of this grooving is to permit the frame to accept the lips 6 on the side members I and 2. It will be seen that the frame extends beyond the food compartment I5 on all sides, leaving space for insulation and also providing an assembly as shown in Figure 5, which can be dropped downwardly in the assembly of Figures 1 and 3, the side members I8 of the main frame passing through the space left by the termination of the upper flanges of the side members I and 2 at the points marked}! in Figure 1. The bottom member and the lower ends of the side members I8 of the main frame may be grooved or rabbeted as at 23, to accept the lip I3, on the bottom member III, as shown in Figure 2.

When the assemblies of Figures 3 and 5 are complete, the next step is to place the insulation members in the assembly of Figure 3 as shown in Figure 4.

frame.

It is immaterial to the practice of my invention what particular type of insulating material is employed, but preferably the insulating material is one which can be handled in the form of .blocks or pieces cut to shape. This greatly facilitates the rapidassembly of the refrigerator. I have shown in Figure 4 insulation members in the shape of preformed blocks 24 and "25 positioned against the side members I and 2 of my cabinet, and another block 26 positioned against the back member 3. I have shown a bottom insulation block 21, lying inside the other mentioned blocks and covering the major portion of the bottom plate ID of the refrigerator. It will be noted, however, that the blocks 24, 25 and 21 terminate short of the front portions of the cabinet, leaving space indicated at 28 and 29 of a width sufficient to receive the side members I8, and bottom member 20, of the main The insulation may, if desired, be joined together and held in position by such means as the sealing strips which I have shown at 30 and Si, in Figure 4.

The next step is to slip the assembly of Figure 5 inside the assembly of Figure 4. This is done by merely positioning the assembly of Figure 5 over the assembly of Figure 4, and lowering it into place. The main frame will be at the front of the cabinet, the side members thereof I6, will lie behind the face members 5 of the cabinet. and the bottom member 20 will lie against the bottom plate III. This assembly is shown in Figure 6, where the lips 6 are shown as passing into the grooves 22. This brings the lower portion of the lips 6 against the inside of the main frame against which these lips may now be nailed, as at 32. The lip I3 of the bottom plate may likewise be nailed to the bottom member 20 of the main frame as shown at 33. It will be noted in this construction that the parts are now integrally united, and also that the food compartment has been insulated on its bottom, back and sides. The insulation pieces 24, 25 and 26 extend up beyond the top of the food compartment. It is understood that the insulation may be made up as unitary blocks or as individual'blocks as may be desired.

It'is now possible to insulate the top of the food compartment except for the opening I6, by the use of a preformed block of insulation shown at 34. Next a member forming a cover for the insulation extending above the food compartment and forming also the base lining member of the compressor compartment is put in position between the side walls I and 2. This plate is shown at in Figure 7. About three sides of it, it may have if desired, turned up flanges36. Its rear end has an upwardly and downwardly turned flange 31 forming a sort of socket. There is a perforation 38 in the plate somewhat larger than the perforation I6 in the. top of the food compartment. This perforation may be flanked by down-turned flanges of the metal 39, and the space about the perforation may be provided with rubber cushioning strips 40. The general assemblywill be more clearly shown in Figure 12, where corresponding numerals indicate like parts. It will be seen that the socket member 31 accepts the top of the back plate 3 of the refrigerator cabinet, and that it may be fastened thereto as by means of screws or the like 4 I. It will be seen also that the front end of the plate of Figure 7 overlies the top member I9 of the main frame,

and may be fastened thereto as desired. The perforation in the plate 35 may be made somewhat larger than the perforation IS in the food compartment, and the edges of the perforation l6 may be flanked by cushioning strips 42. The

mechanical unit of the refrigerator is shown dia- 15 grammatically in dotted lines in Figure 12, and consists of a base member 43 having an overlying part 44. The portion 43 is inserted through the hole in the plate 35, and its edges rest on the cushioning strips 42 forming a tight seal for the top of the food compartment. The overlying portion of the base indicated at 44 overlies the cushioning strips 40. A motor 45, a compressor 46 and a condenser not shown, together with other associated apparatus, will be mounted on the base portion 43. Usually a spring mounting, not shown, is employed. The evaporator 41 depends from the base 43, and extends into the food compartment. The type of refrigerator cabinet shown is one designed for use with a mechanical unit which is integral, and which may be lifted out of the refrigerator cabinet in an upward motion, for replacement or repairs. At the stage of completion of the refrigerator cabinet described up to this point, the refrigerating unit will, of course, not be contained therein. It is one advantage of my type of construction that the cabinet may be completely finished as a unit without including in its construction the refrigerating mechanism.

The next step will be to finish off the top of the cabinet proper by a suitable rail construction. Several methods and means may be employed. I have shown for example, in Figure 8, a front top wooden rail 48 notched to receive the inturned flanges- 6 of the side members and fastened at the front of the cabinet to the tops of the side members by screws 49. The top of the cabinet may additionally be strengthened by a U-shaped frame member of angle iron or the like, shown at 50 in Figure 8. This frame member may be attached to the turned over flanges 8 on the upper portion of the side members I and 2, as by bolts or screws 5|.

A box shaped metallic member indicated at 52 5 in Figure 10 is next used to finish the front bottom portion of the cabinet. This member is placed over the portion 20 of the wooden main frame. Its end-wise disposed flanges lie in the notches 22. Its side-wise disposed flanges lie re- 50 spectively above and below the portion 20 of the main frame. The flange portions, or at least the upper one, may be nail-ed to the frame member 20 as at 53 in Figure 11.

A box shaped member 54 in Figure 9 may now 55 be used to finish the top front of the cabinet. I

This member is also of box formation with flanges on all four sides. Upper and lower side flanges lie respectively above the rail 48 and below the top member l9 of the main frame and may be nailed thereto as at 55.

The cabinet is now as shown in Figure 11, and is complete except for a top, the installation of the mechanical unit, the use of parting strips about the front of the food compartment, and

the mounting of a door thereon. While the cabinet may be assembled of already finished materials, it is my usual practice, to assemble it using outer portions such as members I, 2, 3, 52 and 54, which are all of unfinished metal. When I do this I suspend the cabinet of Figure 11' by a frame member 56, attached to a trolley conveyor, and carry the cabinet into a finishing room where the enamel is applied. thereto. The cabinet may be dried, heat treated or otherwise handled as 7 may be desired.

to the cabinet if desired, as by bolts 58, although this is not necessary. Parting strips 59 (Figure 12) are placed in position about the opening of the food compartment, and are fastened as by screws or the like. A door illustrated generally at 60, the particular form of which is not a limitation upon my invention, may next be swung on suitable hinges and provided with a suitable catch or look. The usual means for causing the door to seal the food compartment are employed.

Modifications may be made in my invention without departing from the spirit thereof, but What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A refrigerator cabinet comprising a self-sustaining assembly comprising an outer bottom, outer sides and back members of metal, said side members having turned over portions forming portions of the front of said cabinet and inwardly extending flanges on said turned over portions, flanges on the top portions of said side members, said flanges being cut away adjacent the front portions thereof to provide space for sliding a frame behind said turned over portions, a frame,

a food compartment mounted to said frame, a lining of insulation in said first mentioned structure and said frame and food compartment mounted in said first mentioned structure with the side portions of said frame lying behind the turned over'portions of said side members and being secured thereto.

2. A refrigerator cabinet comprising a self-sustaining assembly comprising an outer bottom, outer sides and back members of metal, said side members having turned over portions forming portions of the front of said cabinet and inwardly extending flanges on said turned over portions, flanges on the top portions of said side members, said flanges being cut away adjacent the front portions thereof to provide space for sliding a frame behind said turned over portions, 2. frame, a food compartment mounted to said frame, a lining of insulation in said first mentioned structure, and said frame, and food compartment .ber.

3. A refrigerator cabinet comprising a self-sustaining assembly comprising an outer bottom,

"outer sides and back members of metal, said side members having turned over portions forming portions of the front of said cabinet and inwardly extending flarrgeson said turned over portions,

over portions of said side members and being secured thereto, insulation on the top of said food compartment and a cover plate covering said insulation and attached to said back member and to said main frame and metal trim members obscuring the horizontal portions of said frame member.

4. A refrigerator cabinet comprising a self-sustaining assembly comprising an outer bottom, outer sides and back members of metal, said side members having turned over portions forming portions of the front of said cabinet and inwardly extending flanges on said turned over portions, flanges on the top portions of said side members, said flanges being cut away adjacent the front portions thereof to provide space for sliding a frame behind said turned over portions, a frame, a food compartment mounted to said frame, a lining of insulation in said first mentioned structure, and said frame and food compartment mounted in said first mentioned structure with the side portions of said frame lying behind the turned over portions of said side members and being secured thereto, insulation on the top of said food compartment and a cover plate covering said insulation and attached to said back member, and metal trim members obscuring the horizontal portions of said frame member, said side members extending up beyond said plate and the upper one of said trim members having a width sufficient to extend from the upper horizontal portion of said frame to the upper portion of said side members, whereby an additional cabinet space is provided for mechanical parts of a refrigerator unit.

5. A refrigerator cabinet comprising a selfsustaining assembly comprising an outer bottom, outer sides and back members of metal, said side members having turned over portions forming portions of the front of said cabinet and inwardly extending flanges on said turned over portions, flanges on the top portions of said side members, said flanges being cut away adjacent the front portions thereof to provide space for sliding a frame behind said turned over portions, a frame, a food compartment mounted to said frame, a lining of insulation in said first mentioned structure and said frame and food compartment mounted in said first mentioned structure with the side portions of said frame lying behind the turned over portions of said side members and being secured thereto, insulation on the top of said food compartment and a cover plate covering said insulation and attached to said back member and to said main frame, and metal trim member's obscuring the horizontal portions of said frame member, said side members extending up beyond said plate and the upper one of said trim members having a width sufficient to extend from the upper horizontal portion of said frame to the upper portion of said side members, whereby an additional cabinet space is provided for mechanical parts of a refrigerator unit, a frame member for strengthening the upper portion of said last mentioned cabinet and a cover for said cabinet.

6. A refrigerator cabinet comprising outer and inner members, said outer member comprising a bottom, sides, and a back portion, said sides being inturned along their front edges to form vertical slides at the front of said cabinet, and

said inner member comprising a frame, and a food compartment fastened to said frame, said frame adapted to fit within said slides at the front of said cabinet for purposes of assembly, and an insulating lining between said members.

7. A refrigerator cabinet comprising outer and inner members, said outer member comprising a bottom, sides, and a back portion, said sides being inturned along their front edges to form vertical slides at the frontof said cabinet, and flanges along at least a portion of the tops thereof, and said inner member comprising a frame, and a food compartment fastened to said frame, said frame adapted to fit within said slides at the front of said cabinet for purposes of assembly, an insulating lining between said members, and a cover member attached to said top flanges.

8. A refrigerator cabinet comprising outer and inner members, said outer member comprising a bottom, sides, and 'a back portion, said sides being inturned along their front edges to form vertical slides at the front of said cabinet, and flanges along at least a portion of the tops there of, and said inner member comprising a frame, and a food compartment fastened to said frame, said frame adapted to fit within said slides at the front of said cabinet for purposes of assembly, an insulating lining between said members, a cover member attached to said top flanges, and trim strips obscuring the horizontal portions of said frame.

9. A refrigerator cabinet comprising outer and inner members, said outer member comprising a bottom, sides, and a back portion, said sides being inturned along their front edges to form vertical slides at the front of said cabinet, and flanges along at least a portion of the tops thereof, and said inner member comprising a frame, and a food compartment fastened to said frame and adapted to occupy only a portion of the interior of said outer member whereby additional space is provided for mechanical parts of a refrigerator unit, said frame adapted to fit within said slides at the front of said cabinet for purposes of assembly, an insulating lining between said members, a cover member attached to said top flanges, and trim strips obscuring the horizontal portions of said frame.

ROLAND H. MONEY. 

